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izzie

Izzie looks so sad now. please help?

Hi i ask a question earlier about izzie being over protective and i took izzie to a trainer and he trained with her lone for 3 hours i came back and she hasn't like her self at all he told me i should let her rest in her kennel and i did and when i let her out she didn't act the same she just lays there at the far side of the room and when i let her out to go potty she went and then layed down on the pavement and hasn't moved she just keeps staring off into space i tried calling her and she wags her tail a couple time's but doesnt move i got some treats and wet dog food she'll eat but will go lay back down in the same spot she doesn't sit by me aymore she doesn't get on the couch i called the guy but he said with pit bulls and bully breeds u have to be stirn and show them who is dominant i feel so bad i just want my dog back. please help


Asked by izzie on Mar 26th 2011 in Other Behavior & Training
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Toto, CD, RN, CGC

Did you check this so called trainer out before you left your dog with him, or get any references or see his credentials?? It certainly appears that his training methods are not something I would ever allow anyone to ever do to my dog!!! The first thing that should have made you suspicious is that he did not have YOU stay for the training... training is about building teamwork between you and your dog and not beating a dog down to the point of complete submission. Unless he teaches YOU how to handle the dog it isn't going to do anything but break your dog's spirit if he just takes her and beats on her and calls it training.
I would find a good, certified behaviorist and contact them and they can hopefully work with you AND your dog to help her get back to normal.
Punishment and dominance are not training, they are intimidating and are not acceptable for ANY breed, much less a breed as sensitive as any bully breed. Hopefully too much damage hasn't already been done to her.


Toto, CD, RN, CGC answered on 3/26/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 6 Report this answer


Cookies 'n' Creme (1998-2011)

It sounds like she *is* acting submissive.
I would stay away from this trainer if this is making her act depressed.

I don't understand the mindset of blaming every other behavior a dog does as "being dominant". Or at least, not in that way. Now, I'm no expert, but I do know that you can be a leader without making your dog feel badly. Being a leader is about controlling resources, not a struggle. Resources like food, attention, playtime, toys, etc. There are people (including a couple of actual trainers) in Dogster's behavior and training forum who can give you advice.

That said, I don't think you really had a problem in the first place. I mean, you may need some help teaching your dog to stay off the furniture (if that's what you want), and you may have to crate her when you do want to be alone with your BF, but other than that...

Don't feel bad, though...
Here's Dogster's B&T forum:
www.dogster.com


Cookies 'n' Creme (1998-2011) answered on 3/26/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Bruno

I'm betting he either slapped a shock collar on her and zapped the bejeebers out of her or nearly choked her to death with a prong every time she moved to make her "submissive." Poor thing.

I would NEVER take her back to this "trainer" again... pits and boxers are no more "dominant" than other breeds and saying you need to be "stern" with them (code for "abusive") is wrong. They respond to kindness just like any other dog.

Like Toto said, it was a BIG red flag that you weren't allowed to watch what he did. NO trainer can "fix" your dog without training YOU as well.

But the good news is, she will likely get over whatever he did and isn't permanently damaged. Dogs are quite resilient. Just continue being kind to her and let her do what she wants without forcing it.


Bruno answered on 3/26/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Halo

Don't take her to that trainer again and, just let her be fore a couple of days with lots of love and treats. You don't need to be "stern" [which generally means hard ans harsh] with any dog. Firm, consistent, unyielding in asking them to do things and not rewarding nor baking off until they comply, but with a reassuring, gentle hand and tons of patients followed by positive reinforcement.

It does sound like he uses a shock, pron and/or choke collar on her and, in my book all of them are major NOs. I own and train wolfdogs, my daughter pit bulls and we both do it gently and positively and, end up with protective but not aggressive love bugs for dogs. Sure it's a good year before we really get into the "cool" trick but, we have happy, energetic companions, not cowering overly submissive wimps.


Halo answered on 3/26/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


❀Boswell❀

That trainer is an idiot. I agree with others... he probaly beat her or put a shock collar on her. He probably hurt her until she is scared or can't get up. Go to this guy again, and ask to stay in for a session. Insist, but at the first sign of anything bad, don't let him continue with Izzie. I'd like to see what he would say or do. I wouldn't be surprised if poor Izzie got scared or cried. PLEASE try to get people not to go there! If you need to, do your research. Look at reviews, and if you know other people who have had a bad experience, you may consider reporting the guy. If owners of other "Bully breeds" or any breed have an experiance like yours, I think that you may want to tell somebody so it won't continue to happen. It sounds like this idiot abuses his clients.


❀Boswell❀ answered on 3/27/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

Oh no!
So WHAT did he do to her?????? ask him.
This is something I want to touch on, for many years old police dogs were injected into the brain with a chemical to make them zombies. If you suspect he has done that or hurt your dog you should do something. I would make a complaint.
I don't let any trainer keep my dog or be alone anymore, we have had some terrible things happen. You just can't trust others. :(
He either hit her, hung her or worse. sorry but don't go back there ever, your dog is in need of going to the vet now, I would have FULL exam and tell them u think this guy hurt your dog physically.. this posts brings back some memories


Dieta answered on 3/27/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Barney

Hi
Im sure something not very nice happened to your dog but you really shouldnt panic yourself too much, when i read this i was worried. A lot of people are very dramatic and things seem much worse when you have negative reinforcement. Try not to worry about WHAT happened but instead think about how your going to show her she is safe and loved again. Def get a vet check and dont go back to that trainer. Just try to comfort her, she may feel that the training was a punishment, try and act normal eg cuddles etc and she will gradually start to be playful again.


Barney answered on 3/28/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dunkin

I agree with others. I think this trainer needs to be looked into. Call him and ask him what he did , and if he will not tell you , maybe you need to turn him into someone to check out his business. Something here just does not sound right. I hope you get your dog back soon.


Dunkin answered on 3/28/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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